How to play Red Ass
Get rid of your cards. Stick your friends with points. Lowest score wins.
Learn it in two minutes. Master it never.
Tip: In the game, open the Menu and tap "How to play" for a guided practice game against bots.
Setup
- 2 to 8 players. The host can fill empty seats with bots.
- Up to 6 players: 4 decks shuffled together. 7 or 8 players: 6 decks.
- Everyone gets 7 cards.
- One card is turned up to start the pile. If it's a Jack, Queen, King or a 3, it's burned and another card is turned up.
- Careful: if the first card is a 2 or a 4, it's live. The first player has to answer it.
- The player who starts the game deals first. The deal moves one seat each round, and the player after the dealer goes first.
Your turn
- Play one card that matches the top card by number or suit.
- Can't play, or don't want to? Draw one card. That ends your turn. No playing the card you just drew.
- The 3 is pickier: it only goes on its own suit, or on another 3.
Special cards
King: reverse
Play flips the other way around the table.
2: draw two
The next player must play any 2 to pass it on, or draw 2. Every 2 stacked on top adds 2 more. Two 2s = draw 4. Three 2s = draw 6.
4: the chain
A 4 starts a ladder in the same suit. If a 4 of hearts is played, the next player must play the 5 of hearts, then the 6 of hearts, and so on: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2, 3, 4 and around again.
Can't play the next card? You draw. The first step costs 4 cards, and every step up the ladder adds 1 more. Once someone pays, the 4 is dead and play goes on as normal.
3: wild
A 3 only goes on its own suit (or on another 3). Play one and you get a bonus: lay down any one card from your hand, or tap Done. If that bonus card is another 3, you get another bonus.
A 3 played as the next step of a 4 chain is just a step. No bonus.
Everything else
Aces, Queens, Jacks and 5 to 10 are plain cards. Match by number or suit.
Last card
Down to one card? Hit LAST CARD fast, before the next player moves.
Forget, and anyone can tap Call out. You draw 1 card. Shame included.
Going out on a 2 or a 4 doesn't let anyone off the hook. The next player still has to stack the 2 or keep the chain going, and the round ends when somebody picks up the cards.
Scoring
When someone goes out, everyone else counts the cards left in their hand. Points are bad.
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| 4 | 40 |
| 2 | 30 |
| Ace | 20 |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
| Everything else (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) | 5 |
Dump your 4s and 2s early. They hurt.
Winning (and losing)
The game ends when anyone reaches 500 points. The host can pick a different goal in the lobby.
Lowest total wins.
Whoever crosses the line? They're the Red Ass.
FAQ
How many people can play?
2 to 8. The host can add bots to fill the table.
Can I play the card I just drew?
No. Drawing ends your turn.
Can I play a 3 on any card?
No. A 3 only goes on its own suit, or on another 3. Then you get to lay down any card you like.
What if someone goes out on a 2 or a 4?
The round keeps going until somebody pays the draw. Then it ends.
Can I change the 500 point goal?
Yes. The host can set it in the lobby, from 50 up to 5000.
Do card backs or outfits help me win?
Never. They're looks only.